I wanted to like this book so so much. I am a huge fan of Kalynn Bayron but this book just wasn’t it for me. It felt very juvenile for a YA book. I didn’t like the MC which is so hard for me because I loooooove Bayron’s FMCs so much. I wish it hit better for me but it didn’t and that’s okay, I’m sure it’ll find its people

Kalynn Bayron has once again delivered a masterpiece with Sleep Like Death! This dark, enchanting retelling of Snow White is packed with magic, intrigue, and a heroine you can’t help but root for. From the very first chapter, I was drawn into Princess Eve’s world—a place where fairy tales aren’t just stories, and the lines between good and evil are far more complicated than they seem.

Bayron’s writing pulls you in like a spell. She paints such a clear picture of this world that I felt like I was right there alongside Eve, feeling every moment of tension, magic, and betrayal. The way she describes things isn’t overly complicated, but it’s detailed enough that I could easily imagine the eerie forests, the grand castle, and the quiet moments of doubt and fear Eve experiences. The pacing is perfect—fast when it needs to be, but never rushed, making sure every emotional moment lands.

If you love dark fairy tale retellings, fierce heroines, and stories that make you question everything you thought you knew, Sleep Like Death is an absolute must-read. It’s gripping, beautifully written, and left me completely spellbound. I didn’t want it to end!

3.5 rounded down

Fantasy isn't my typical genre, but I decided to read Sleep Like Death because I liked Cinderella is Dead by the author. Sleep Like Death ends up being a bit of a Snow White remaining, which was a fun concept. I liked the character of Eve, but didn't find the romance with her and Nova very compelling. I also liked the subtle inclusion of an LGBTQ+ pairing with Eve having two moms (though to be fair, one of her moms was turned into a bird for the duration of the story, so there wasn't true same sex rep).

Overall the book drives home the classic fairy tale lesson of actions have consequences. The book gave me a little bit of Once Upon a Time vibes because the story including overlapping fairy tales, which was a fun aspect. It wasn't an "oh my god, you HAVE to read this book!" type of read, but I'd recommend it to others, especially if they are fans of YA fantasy and fairy tale retellings.

The narrative structure of this one was tricky for me, especially as a YA book. I was interested in the concept, but couldn't get on with the writing style.

Thank you for the chance to read and review but after further consideration, I don’t think that this is the right book for me at this time.

Book Summary:

Her whole life, Eve has believed that she’s destined to be the one to fight and destroy the Knight - the person plaguing her people for generations. She is unique because she has magic, but will it be enough to take on a supernatural being like no other?

When Eve realizes that her mother has become caught up in the Knight’s horrible plans, she knows she can’t wait any longer. She must act and hope she is enough to stop this monster - before it’s too late.

My Review:

I fell in love with Kalynn Bayron’s writing style after reading This Poison Heart (duology), and I’ve added a few other books of hers to my TBR list. However, I was lucky enough to get Sleep Like Death in one of my OwlCrate boxes, so now seemed like the perfect time to read her next book!

While I didn’t love Sleep Like Death as much as I enjoyed This Poison Heart, I have to admit that it was a compelling story. I know I’m a bit biased, as I adore fractured fables and twisted fairy tales

In this case, the twisted story is Snow White. It’s not my favorite of the fairy tales, which made it ripe for changing (in my mind). I love the whole Knight/Ancient Monster concept and how it played with the familiar trope of being careful what you wish for.

Ironically, my biggest problem with Sleep Like Death is the characters and how they react to things. Sometimes, Eve’s reactions/statements felt unrealistic or over the top, even for a mystical world. The same goes for her mother and other major characters in the story.

Overall, though, I enjoyed Sleep Like Death. It’s a unique take on the story, and it also makes me wish we could get a prequel showing what happened in the past (in more detail, I mean).

Highlights:
Retelling (Snow White)
LGBTQ Fantasy
Unique Twists

Trigger Warnings:
Dirty Deals
Betrayal
Animal Death

I unfortunately had to dnf this because it didn’t grab my attention. I kept thinking about other books I wanted to read.

Sleep like death solidified itself as my 2nd favorite by this author. She has a way of doing retelling the right way. Really enjoyed from beginning to end.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Sleep Like Death is a fresh take on the Snow White story, skillfully blending familiar elements with original twists. The narrative is engaging and filled with suspense, making it hard to put down as the clues unfold.The author expertly incorporates various fairytales, particularly through the character of the Knight, creating a sense of familiarity that enhances the story. Readers will find themselves piecing together connections, leading to satisfying revelations.Grump is a memorable character whose readiness and resilience leave a lasting impression. Eve, with her fierce determination and magical abilities, also shines brightly. Her journey to confront the Knight is both compelling and inspiring.Overall, this is a thrilling read from start to finish.

Sleep Like Death is another great fairytale retelling by Kalynn Bayron. I truly didn't know what would happen next and I liked our main character. There were a few plot points I wasn't a fan of, which is why I gave the book a 4 star review instead of 5. I wasn't that big of a fan of the romance and I was a bit let down by the ending. I hope Bayron writes another fairytale retelling because I think she excels at writing them.

🌟🌟🌟🌟

*Sleep Like Death* by Kalynn Bayron is a captivating blend of suspense, mystery, and supernatural elements that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Bayron’s storytelling is atmospheric and engaging, drawing you into a world where reality blurs with the eerie unknown.

The protagonist is compelling and relatable, grappling with personal struggles that resonate deeply. Bayron masterfully intertwines these emotional threads with the gripping plot, making the stakes feel all the more real. The exploration of themes like identity, fear, and the unknown adds depth to the narrative, prompting thoughtful reflection as the story unfolds.

The pacing is mostly strong, with a steady build-up of tension that leads to a satisfying climax. However, there are moments where the plot could have benefited from a bit more clarity, leaving some questions lingering at the end. Despite this, the richly drawn characters and immersive world more than make up for any minor inconsistencies.

Overall, *Sleep Like Death* is a thrilling read that fans of dark fantasy and suspense will enjoy. Bayron’s unique voice and imaginative storytelling shine through, making this a memorable addition to the genre. I’m looking forward to seeing what she writes next!

This is my first experience with Kalynn Bayron and although I enjoyed her writing style, this book fell short for me. The characters felt one dimensional, and the romance was not realistic. I am not a fan of “insta-love”, and the characters professed their love within 4 days. The side characters were not developed enough, and the magic system is vague. I’d be happy to read something else from her, but this novel missed the mark.

Thank you Bloomsbury & Netgalley for the ARC!

Every book from Kalynn Bayron that I have read so far I have really enjoyed. In this one like some of her others she takes a fairytale we know and flip it on its head till the fairytale is more sprinkled in than just a retelling.

This book could be a bit confusing at times, since the story was quite a bit different from its Snow White inspiration. I like the main characters though and the journey this one took us on. It's a little dark, there is some queerness in there, people of color and just such good writing.

If you like retellings this might just be the book for you.

tbh this book was just kind of mid? I had heard amazing things from Kalynn Bayron's books and I was really excited to read this one after seeing all the good reviews for Cinderella is Dead, especially with it being one of the few Snow White retellings I've read but all the Snow White elements weren't introduced into the story until the second third of it and by that point it just felt forced.

I think this story tried to be so much it ended up being messy, from the knight who gave Rumpelstiltskin's vibes who happened to have a moving castle just like Howl, and the romance that felt so unnecessary and instant to the Snow White elements that were just forced in a couple of pages. I wish there was more character development and a deeper explaining on why the characters are acting the way they are as well, their motivations and, as why they have those abilities.

also on a side note, this book was marketed as having queer/lesbian representation and while the MC has two moms one of them is a bird during the whole story. I wish we could've gotten a better queer representation.

I feel the same way about this novel as I did about "Cinderella is Dead", it was good but not great. I do not think it will be cemented as the next literary masterpiece but that being said it is a good, well written story and it was fun. I think my daughter would enjoy it more than me as I believe it is geared more towards her age range but nevertheless it was enjoyable.

princess eve has trained all her life to defeat the knight, raised to believe that her magical abilities will one day be able to defeat the monster who has turned her people’s wishes into curses for generations. no one has been left unscathed, not even the royal family: one of eve’s mothers was turned into a songbird after making an (idiotic) deal with him. as eve prepares to face her enemy, her other mother begins to unravel—and eve learns that the knight’s influence on her family and kingdom runs deeper than she was ever told.

unfortunately i have to accept that kalynn bayron’s writing is just not for me. i was so frustrated by the premise of the knight. why is anyone still making deals with him when EVERY SINGLE DEAL has backfired? no one in this kingdom has any common sense (including the comically overpowered MC, eve) so it was difficult to get invested or root for anyone. sleep like death redeems itself somewhat in the fairytale elements; it’s a loose reimagining of “snow white” interwoven with other fairytales, and i enjoyed the twist with the knight’s identity… but with so many clever, lovely fairytale retellings available now, i can’t say this one is a standout for me.

I’ve tried twice and this is just not keep me entertained. I’m 34% into the book and nowhere does this resemble a Snow White retelling. The MC is bland and so are the characters. It’s hard to follow because the pacing is extremely slow.

This is an auto grab and auto buy author for me always. I have loved everything she has written. However I was was obsessed with this one. I love fairytale retellings and this one did not disappoint. I loved the mixture of retellings. I got so immersed in the story I just did not want it to end. The characters were so well written. I wanted to fight for Eve and her family. I just loved this book so much. Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA Children's Books for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Kalynn Bayron's take on the Sleeping Beauty fairytale is really intriguing. I loved the world she has built and found the characters to be really interesting and well-fleshed out. It wasn't a perfect book, but it was a very entertaining one.